The average American has been said to consume as much food as 32 Kenyans (Francavilla, 2008). The World Bank estimates that more than 1.1 billion people remain hungry and live below the poverty line, whereas developed nations waste and consume more food than ever before (Medrek, 2008). In North American countries, the obesity rate has almost doubled over the last 25 years (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2011). Approximately 1 in 3 children is obese, with the rate still rising (Francavilla, 2008). At the rate of which obesity amongst children is rising, it is predicted that obesity will be the number one killer around the world by 2030 (Francavilla, 2008).
If we do not take action now, obesity rates will continue to rise and our children and the future generations will be infested with disease and illness. Children who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of being diagnosed with health issues such as diabetes, live disease, joint problems and heart disease (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2011). Obesity tends to carry on from childhood into adulthood, cutting off an additional 3-7 years of a person’s life—this would be the same result if that individual were a smoker (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2011). It is estimated that diseases resulting from obesity in children are expected to rise up to 50% within the next 10 years (Kielburger, 2008).This is why it is crucial to target the younger audience; they are the future. By eliminating the problem from the source, we can prevent it from becoming out of control.
Survey
After conducting a survey in a third grade class at a public elementary school, we found some interesting results regarding children and their eating habits. We first asked if the students have breakfast every morning. The results showed that 21 of the 27 children interviewed (78%) said they have breakfast every morning; 22% of children were not having breakfast in the morning.
We then asked if the students brought a lunch and/or snacks with them to school every day. Every student said yes to both questions. We were curious to know what students were bringing to school as their snacks, whether they were healthy snacks like fruit or if they were unhealthy like chocolate bars and chips. Only 3 out of 27 said they brought something healthy. That leaves 89% of this class consuming junk food as a snack.
Graph shows how many students have breakfast, as well as bring lunch and snacks every day
We proceeded to ask how many meals each child was having a day. Out of the 27 surveyed, 2 said they have 2 meals a day, 10 said they have 3 meals a day, 14 said they have 4 meals a day, and 1 said they have 5 meals a day. It’s important to have smaller meals more often than have large meals less often. This is so the body can digest easier; food does not stay sitting in your stomach for long periods of time. Having smaller meals also keeps your metabolism going, allowing your body to digest food at a faster pace.
Next, we asked how many times each child consumes fast food during a week. 4 children stated they only consume fast food 0-2 times a week. 18 students said they consumed fast food 3-6 times in a week, and 5 said they consume fast food 7 times or more during the week. These numbers are far too large than what one would expect them to be. After asking all of these questions regarding what children bring to school and eat at home, we asked if they would enjoy having a cafeteria in the school that would provide healthier meal options. 22 children said yes, while 5 said no. We feel the 5 that said no probably said no because having a cafeteria would limit the junk food they were allowed to bring in from home to eat during their lunch. Last, we asked that if a cafeteria were to be built, if children would prefer healthy, well balanced choices or food containing high amounts of fat and sodium. 17 children said they would prefer fast food, leaving only 10 in favour of having well-balanced options.
Statistics
The average American has been said to consume as much food as 32 Kenyans (Francavilla, 2008). The World Bank estimates that more than 1.1 billion people remain hungry and live below the poverty line, whereas developed nations waste and consume more food than ever before (Medrek, 2008). In North American countries, the obesity rate has almost doubled over the last 25 years (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2011). Approximately 1 in 3 children is obese, with the rate still rising (Francavilla, 2008). At the rate of which obesity amongst children is rising, it is predicted that obesity will be the number one killer around the world by 2030 (Francavilla, 2008).
If we do not take action now, obesity rates will continue to rise and our children and the future generations will be infested with disease and illness. Children who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of being diagnosed with health issues such as diabetes, live disease, joint problems and heart disease (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2011). Obesity tends to carry on from childhood into adulthood, cutting off an additional 3-7 years of a person’s life—this would be the same result if that individual were a smoker (Childhood Obesity Foundation, 2011). It is estimated that diseases resulting from obesity in children are expected to rise up to 50% within the next 10 years (Kielburger, 2008).This is why it is crucial to target the younger audience; they are the future. By eliminating the problem from the source, we can prevent it from becoming out of control.
Survey
After conducting a survey in a third grade class at a public elementary school, we found some interesting results regarding children and their eating habits. We first asked if the students have breakfast every morning. The results showed that 21 of the 27 children interviewed (78%) said they have breakfast every morning; 22% of children were not having breakfast in the morning.
We then asked if the students brought a lunch and/or snacks with them to school every day. Every student said yes to both questions. We were curious to know what students were bringing to school as their snacks, whether they were healthy snacks like fruit or if they were unhealthy like chocolate bars and chips. Only 3 out of 27 said they brought something healthy. That leaves 89% of this class consuming junk food as a snack.
We proceeded to ask how many meals each child was having a day. Out of the 27 surveyed, 2 said they have 2 meals a day, 10 said they have 3 meals a day, 14 said they have 4 meals a day, and 1 said they have 5 meals a day. It’s important to have smaller meals more often than have large meals less often. This is so the body can digest easier; food does not stay sitting in your stomach for long periods of time. Having smaller meals also keeps your metabolism going, allowing your body to digest food at a faster pace.
Next, we asked how many times each child consumes fast food during a week. 4 children stated they only consume fast food 0-2 times a week. 18 students said they consumed fast food 3-6 times in a week, and 5 said they consume fast food 7 times or more during the week. These numbers are far too large than what one would expect them to be.
After asking all of these questions regarding what children bring to school and eat at home, we asked if they would enjoy having a cafeteria in the school that would provide healthier meal options. 22 children said yes, while 5 said no. We feel the 5 that said no probably said no because having a cafeteria would limit the junk food they were allowed to bring in from home to eat during their lunch. Last, we asked that if a cafeteria were to be built, if children would prefer healthy, well balanced choices or food containing high amounts of fat and sodium. 17 children said they would prefer fast food, leaving only 10 in favour of having well-balanced options.
References
"Statistics." Childhood Obesity Foundation. Childhood Obesity Foundation, Jan. 2011. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.childhoodobesityfoundation.ca/statistics>.
Francavilla, Daniel. "North Americans Become Obese While Foreign Children Starve - Thestar.com." Thestar.com. The Toronto Star, 3 Feb. 2008. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/GlobalVoices/article/299632>.
Kielburger, Craig, and Marc Kielburger. "Obesity Becoming World Crisis." Thestar.com. The Toronto Star, 4 Feb. 2008. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/300138>.
Medrek, Ania. "Obesity and Starvation Go Hand in Hand." Thestar.com. The Toronto Star, 3 Feb. 2008. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. <http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/GlobalVoices/article/299633>.